Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

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'Could hardly be more exhilarating or enterprising … a memorable as well as enticing disc' (Gramophone)'Lane commands the golden tone and effortless, spirited virtuosity needed to make these transcriptions come alive, and makes them sound easy to boot. ...» More

'A magnificent addition to both the Bach repertoire and Angela Hewitt's artistically unparallelled survey of Bach's keyboard compositions' (Fanfare, USA)'A collection of rarities and oddities that makes for enjoyable listening. The quality of the Hyperion recording is excellent, with the right balance ...» More

Ethel Bartlett and Rae Robertson both studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Tobias Matthay in the 1910s. They were married in 1921 and a few years later established a two-piano duo, which quickly became the first such team to achieve truly in ...» More

'Wreathed in laurels for his marathon cycle of Liszt's complete piano works, the Australian born, London based pianist Leslie Howard has come up with ...'A delightful collection, beautifully played' (BBC World Service)» More

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'Recommended with enthusiasm' (Fanfare, USA)

'An attractive release, not only for the almost unfailing charm with which Kirkby imbues the music but also as a record of how her voice has blossomed over a period of some two decades' (BBC Music Mag ...

This album is not yet available for downloadHYP202CDs Super-budget price sampler — Deleted

'More than just a highlight sampler. This is a classy collection, brought together with a great deal of care and attention to musical programming seldom found in this kind of CD … A stocking-filler any music lover would appreciate' (Scotland ...» More

Why, fairest goddess,
have you forgotten what was once half of your life?
Did you not give Endymion
in his peaceful repose
many sweet caresses?
Have you forsaken, fairest,
our loving vows
merely to follow the hunt?

Indeed I still love you!
But today
there appeared a radiant presence,
which I must, above all else,
with a loving kiss
welcome and wait upon!
Our beloved Christian,
the Pan of the forest,
shall happily in fortune’s favour
celebrate his great birthday festival.
So grant me this,

Diana, that I may
join with you
and light a sacrificial bonfire.
Yes! … we will carry our torches
Together with the best of wishes.

I, accustomed to be god
of these fields,
lay down my shepherd’s crook
before Christian’s sceptre,
because the Pan of princes
makes his land so happy
that the forests, fields, and all else live and laugh!

Shall Pales be the last to offer a sacrifice?
No! No!
I would also forsake my duties,
and as the whole sovereignty rings with cheers,
let even my beautiful pastures
honour the hero of Saxony with me,
to bring him joy and happiness.

The handful of transcriptions by Percy Grainger put him straight into the Liszt/Busoni/Rachmaninov class. Blithe Bells, dating from 1931, is one of the best, but those expecting the familiar strains of ‘Sheep may safely graze’ from Bach’s Cantata No 208 had better be prepared for an extraordinary change of shape, colour and harmony! Beginning with the notion that Bach ‘may have aimed at giving a hint of the sound of sheep bells’, and also conveying his belief that the three greatest composers were Bach, Delius and Duke Ellington, there is nothing quite like this very sincere act of homage.

Certainly one of the most popular melodies, at least in English-speaking countries, is that of Sheep may safely graze. It comes from the so-called ‘Hunt Cantata’ – No 208, Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd! (‘My only delight is the merry chase’), a birthday cantata written in 1713 for Duke Christian of Sachsen-Weissenfels. It is Bach’s first known secular cantata, and one of the few he wrote during his Weimar period. The duke liked to imagine he was another Louis XIV, trying to emulate life at Versailles, and his birthday celebrations lasted several days. He was an enthusiastic huntsman, so the libretto, written by Salomo Franck, uses the classical legend of the goddess Diana. This aria and recitative is sung by Pales, a mythical figure of dubious gender, but here representing the goddess of crops and pastures. The duke was no doubt pleased by the praise he received:

Recitative: Shall Pales be the last to offer a sacrifice? No! No! I would also forsake my duties, and as the whole sovereignty rings with cheers, let even my beautiful pastures honour the hero of Saxony with me, to bring him joy and happiness.

Aria: Sheep may safely graze where a caring shepherd guards them. Where a regent reigns well, we may have security and peace and things that let a country prosper.

It is scored for soprano, two flutes, and continuo. So much for the original. The excellent transcription is by the American composer, Mary Howe (1882–1964). Born in Richmond, Virginia, she studied both piano and composition at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, and was for a short time in the 1930s with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. She was a founder of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and along with Amy Beach helped organize the Society of American Women Composers in 1925. This piece is one of my favourite encores.

O fairest gaze! You happy hours,
may you for ever retain your good fortune!
The heavens crown you with sweetest joy!
Long live Prince Christian! May he always know
what makes hearts contented,
what conquers grief.

May grace now embrace, may fortune now serve
the Duke and his Luise Christine!
They wander in happiness among flowers and clover,
Let glitter the flower of the royal marriage,
This other Diana,
Prince Christian’s crowning glory!